Interchangeable electric switch



July 3l,r 1951 w. c. FuRNAs INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2l. 1949 IIM ' INVENTOR. /rcm/mw/ ehi/ww A Tron/V5 ys.

July 3l, 1951 w. c. FuRNAs 2,562,420

INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed OCT.. 21, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 45 En?- 6' lo 47 5J 39 44 2 L, I 4 '3`u l, l]

al 37 5 nz Patelited July 31, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE INTEBCHANGEABLE ELECTRIC SWITCH William C. Furnas, Batavia Township, Kane County, Ill., assignor to Furnas Electric Company, Batavia, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application October 21, 1949, Serial No. 122,667

(Cl. 20G- 16) Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of electrical control.' and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of unitary switching devices for controlling the circuit indiverse electrical systems.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved electric control switch which is 2 'Ihese and other specic objects and advanf tages of my present invention will be apparent exceedingly simple, compact and durable in contionally few parts which may be readily inter-- changed to conform with diverse desired operating conditions and requirements.

Another speciiic object of my present invention is to provide a new and improved electric switch of the pusher or plunger actuated type which may be conveniently installed in any desired locality with minimum space requirements by means of a single screw, bolt or the like.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric switch assemblage composed of few parts, all of which may be readily manufactured and assembled at low cost and without need for special tools, and wherein all parts are readily accessible for inspection, replacement, or alternation.

An additional specic object of the .present invention is to provide an improved manually or mechanically operable pusher type electric switch unit which may be accurately positioned for rapid and secure attachment to a supporting wall. and wherein the terminals and contacts may be accurately and inexpensively produced in quantity from sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies.

Still another speciiled object of the present invention is to provide an improved switch assemblage comprising, a body having a rear recess and outwardly o pen grooves in the side and top walls communicating with the recess. electric terminals receivable in certain of the grooves and having ilxed contacts positionable within the recess, an actuating member extending into the recess. and a movable contact carried by the actuating member within the recess and cooperable with the fixed contacts.

from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting my invention. and of the mode of constructing and utilizing a typical plunger actuated switch embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts Ain the various views. a

Fig. 1 is a relatively large rear view of one of my improved switch units showing the terminals and iixed contacts arranged for controlling a particular circuit;

Fig. 2 is a similar rear view of the switch showing the terminals and contacts arranged for controlling the same circuit but from a diiierent side;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the assemblage. taken along the lineA 3 3- of Fig. 1; a f

Fig. 4 is another transverse vertical section through the unit, taken along the line bl oi Fig. 1; L; j

Fig. 5 is a rear view .of the improved'switch showing the terminals and fixed contacts 'arranged for controlling a different circuit andwith the contacts shown in their normally closed po.- sition;

Fig. 6 is another rear view of the switch embodying the terminal and contact arrangement of Fig. 5, but showing the contacts actuated to open position; v Fig. 'I is a like rear view of the switch with th terminals and ilxed contacts arranged for controlling still another circuit and with the contacts shown in normally open position; and

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the switch arrangement of Fig. 7, but showing the contacts actuated to closed position.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as beingespecially applicable'to a manually or mechanically operable pusher or plunger actuated switch adapted for mounting in a particular manner to control certain circuits, it is not desired or intended to unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the improved vfeatures by reason of such limited embodiment.

Referring to thedrawings, the improved switch assemblage shown therein comprises, in general,

v a molded one-piece body ill having a rear recess il, the body il also being formed with an out- 'wardLv open groove I2 in each of the side walls i3 communicating with the recess Il and out- 3 wardly open grooves I4 in the top wall I5 also communicating with the recess I|; an electric terminal I6 interchangeably receivable in either of the side wail grooves I2 and having a fixed contact I1 at an end thereof positionable within the recess II; electric terminals I8, I3, 20, 2| each interchangeably receivable in either of the top grooves I4 and each also being respectively provided with fixed contacts 22. 23, 24, 25 positionable within the recess II; an actuating memvber or plunger 26 extending into the recess II;

and a movable contact 2`1 carried by the member 26 within the recess and cooperable with one or more of the xed contacts I1, 22, 23, 24, 25, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The unitary body III may be readily molded in a known manner from suitable insulating material; and in addition to the outwardly open grooves I2, I4 in the side and top walls I3, I5 respectively. an outwardly o pen groove 28 is provided in the medial portion of the bottom wall 23 for receiving the actuating member 26. As shown, the actuating member 26 is in the form of a plunger or elongated pusher slidably confined within the groove 23 with a portion projecting outwardly of the body I3 beyond the lower wall 23 and with a reduced portion 33 extending upwardly into the recess II for receiving and carrying the movable contact 21, the reduced end portion 36 of the actuating plunger 26 forming a medial shoulder 3| thereon. To aid in guiding and limiting the movement of the actuating member 26, means cooperable therewith, such as a lug 32 formed integral with the body III within the groove '28, is provided; and this lug 32 is cooperable in an obvious manner with a longitudinal slot or groove 33 provided in the larger portion of the member 26.

The movable contact 21 is preferably in the form of a plate or bar having a central aperture 34 adapted to be penetrated by the reduced portion 36 of the member 26 with means being provided for retaining the contact plate 21 in position thereon for movement with the member 26, preferable retaining means being shown as comprising a stop 35 in the form of a cross- -head penetrating an aperture 36 in the reduced portion 36 of the member 26 above the contact 21 and means, such as a compression spring 31,

cooperable with the shoulder 3| and with the bottom of the contact 21 for constantly resiliently urging the same toward and against the crosshead 33. The spring 31 is of suiicient length so as to remain under compression at all times. but to aid in positioning the same, a pair of posi tioning lugs 33 may be formed on the member 23 adjacent the shoulder 3| as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Means are also provided for constantly resilientLv urging the actuating member 26 and contact 21 in one direction; and in the assemblage shown herein, such means comprises a compression spring 33 embracing the end of the reduced portion 36 of the member 26 and coacting at one end with the cross-head 33 and at the opposite end with the top wall of the recess II, the recess being preferably formed with an upper reduced portion forming a confined passage or chamber 40 for the spring 33 which acts to return the member 26 and contact 21 carried thereby to lowermost position.

I'he switch assemblage thus described may be provided with a rear cover plate if desired or it may be mounted directly to a support 4I as shown in Fig. 4 with the aid of a screw or bolt 42 or the like adapted to penetrate a countersunk 4 hole 43 in the body I6; and while two such holes 43 are shown as being provided, the unit may be securely fastened to the support 4I or the like with only a single screw which may be utilized with either aperture 43 in the most con-A venient manner. ing of the unit on the support 4|, I prefer to form the body I6 with rare side wall notches 44 which are adapted to coact with projections or lugs which may be provided on the support 4|; and to further aid in properly positioning and retention of the terminals I6, I3, I3, 23, 2| in place, the body I3 may be provided with positioning blocks 45 within the recess II, as shown. The actuating member 26, as well as the body III. may be readily molded of any suitable nonconducting material; and the movable contact 21, cross-head 35 and the various forms of interchangeable terminals I6, I3, I3, 26, 2| may be quickly produced of sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies and with the usual terminal attaching screws 46 being provided at the proiecting ends of the terminals.

In assembly and operation of the unit, the proper terminals for the given circuit to be controlled are first applied within the proper grooves of the body III. For example, in a three wire circuit requiring a so-called single pole double throw. the terminals I3, I3, are positioned in the grooves I4 and a single terminal I6 is positioned within the groove I2 as shown in Fig. l; and if it is desired to mount the unit with the terminal I6, extending i'rom the opposite side of the body Il. the terminals I6 and I3, I3 are interchanged in their respective receiving grooves I2 and I4 as shown in Fig. 2. If a two wire circuit requiring a so-called single pole, single throw normally closed is to be controlled, a terminal I6 is positioned in one or the other of the grooves I2, depending on mounting requirements. and a terminal 26, is positioned within the proper groove I4 as shown in Fig. 5. If, however, a two wire circuit requiring a single pole, single throw normally open is to be controlled, the terminals Il. 2 I, are positioned within the grooves I4 with the grooves I2 being left empty. In all of the arrangements herein illustrated and described. the contacts I1, 22, 23, 24, and/or 23. of the terminals utilized in the particular instance. are obviously fixedly positioned within the recess II: and the terminals I6 may of course be interchangeably utilized in either of the grooves I2 with the terminals I3, I3, 23, and 2| likewise being capable of interchangeable utilization in either of the grooves I4 depending upon the conditions. The spring 31 is then placed in position over the reduced portion 3l of the member 2l. and the movable contact 21 is thereafter applied to this reduced portion 33 with the cross-head or stop 33 then being positioned within the aperture 36 to retain the spring and contact 21 in position. The spring 33 may then be applied to the reduced end portion 33 of the member 26 above the cross-head 35; and with the spring 33 compressed, the actuating mechanism is then placed in position within the body Il with the spring 33 resting against the upper wall of the recess II in the extension 46 thereof and under compression so as to constantly urge the actuating member downwardly. The actuating member 26 is of course slidable within the groove 33 with the lug 32 coacting with the slot 33, formed in either one or both sides of the member 23,*to guide such member in its movement. The movable contact is accordingly normally in iowermost To further facilitate position' position due to the action of the spring Il and cess with the exterior ot the body, electric-terthis contact 35 may be raisedby pushing upwardly 'on the memberA It, and upon release of lupward pressure on such member, the spring Il will obviously return the contact 21 to normal lowermost position.

From the foregoing detailed description it is believed apparent that my present invention contemplates provision of a unitary switch assemblage which is exceptionallysimple and vcompact in construction and exceedingly accurate, flexible and emcient in operation and which moreover is composed of very few parts which might require replacement or repair. 'Ihe molded body is extremely durable and forms aneiective protective housing for the switch arrangement, and the assemblage may be readily mounted to any del sired supporting structure by means of a single screw l2 adapted to penetrate either of the counter sunk holes I3 in the body I0. The various terminals may be quickly and inexpensively formed of sheet metal with the aid of a press,`and the respective contacts i1, 22, 23, 24 and Il may be riveted or otherwise applied thereto. 'I'he several parts of the assemblage are interchangeable in an obvious manner with the actuating member 26 even being applicable from either side thereof to the groove 28. The assemblage is composed of so few parts and is capable of being dismantled and reassembled in such a rapid manner by a novice that the switch has extremely wide appli-v cation, and it may be used not only for manual operation but also for actuation by mechanical or other means in diverse control systems. 'I'he improved switches may be manufactured in large quantities in a rapid manner for sale at extremely low cost, and units embodying the invention have, in fact, proven highly successful in actual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode o1' use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims vmay occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains; and it is also contemplated that the various descriptive terms used herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

I claim:

l. In an electric switch, a unitary body formed of insulation and having a rearwardly open recess bounded by walls provided with rearwardly and laterally open grooves connecting the recess with the exterior of the body, electric terminals snugly frictionally confined at their medial portions within certain of said grooves and each having a fixed contact at its inner end disposed within said body recess while its outer conductor attachment end projects externally of the body, a unitary elongated plunger also formed of insulation and having its mid-portion slidably confined within another of said grooves while its inner 4 end is reciprocable within said body recess between said iixed contacts and its outer end projects externally ofthe body, and movable contacts carried by said inner plunger portion and being cooperable with said fixed contacts within said body recess, al1 of said terminals and contacts and said plunger being freely removable from the rear of said body.

2. In an electric switch, a unitary body formed oi' insulation and having a rearwardly open recess bounded by walls provided with rearwardly and laterally open grooves connecting the Te' mlnals snugly vi'rictionally conilned at their medial portions within'certain of said grooves and each having a fixed contact at its inner end disposed within said body recess while its outer conductor attachment end projects externally of the body, another of said grooves having an integral lug projecting from the bottom thereof, a unitary elongated plunger also formed of insulation and having its mid-portion slidably confined within said other groove and provided with a longitudinal slot cooperable with said lug while its inner end is reciprocable within said body recess between said iixed contacts and its outer end projects externally of the body. and movable contacts carried by said inner plunger end and being cooperable with said fixed contacts within said body recess.

3. In an electric switch, aunitary body formed of insulation and having a rearwardly open recess bounded by walls provided with rearwardly and laterally open grooves connecting the recess with the exterior of the body, electric terminals snugly frictionally confined at their medial portions within certain of said grooves and each having a fixed contact at its inner end disposed within said body recess while its outer conductor attachment end projects externally of the body, another of said grooves having an integral lug projecting from the bottom thereof, a unitary elongated plunger also formed of insulation and having its mid-portion slidably confined within said other groove and provided with a longitudinal slot cooperable with said lug while its inner end is reciprocable within said body recess between said xed contacts and its outer end projects externally of the body, and movable contacts carried by said inner plunger end and being cooperable with said fixed contacts within said body recess, said slot coacting with said lug to limit the movement of the plunger and all of said terminals and contacts and said plunger being freely removable from the rear of said body.

4. In an electric switch, a unitary body formed of insulation and having a rearwardly open recess bounded by walls provided with rearwardly and laterally open grooves connecting the recess with the exterior'of the body, electric terminals snugly frictionally conned at their medial portions within certain of said grooves and each having a xed contact at its inner end disposed within said body recess while its outer conductor attachment end projects externally of the body, a unitary elongated plunger also formed of insulation and having its mid-portion slidably conned within another of said grooves while its outerend projects externally of the body and its inner end is of reduced transverse cross-section and is reciprocable within said body recess between said xed contacts, movable contacts tiltably mounted upon said reduced inner end portion of said plunger and being cooperable with said fixed contacts, and a helical compression spring interposed between said movable contacts and one of said body walls and embracing said inner plunger end portion within said recess.

5. In an electric switch, a unitary body formed of insulation and having a rearwardly open recess bounded by walls provided with rearwardly and laterally open grooves connecting the recess with the exterior of the body, electric terminals snugly frictionally confined at their medial portions guano The following references ne more in the me of this potent: i

UNITED VSTATE PATENTS y v Number Nome s 2,064,633 Bcmltt Dee. 16, il 2,100,299 Ven Valkenburg leb. i3. 1040 2.286.086 Kintzing et el. June 9, 1042 2,335,283 Johnson Nov. 30. 1943 2.390.344 Ayers et nl. Dee. 4. 1945 2.419.072 Hall -4--- Apr. 15, i047 2.408933 Kemlnky Oct. 25; 1940 

